Manufacturing Operations Lead

We are seeking an experienced Production Manager to join our team. As a key member of our management team, you will be responsible for leading and directing all production activities to ensure the efficient delivery of finished goods to customer demand.

Job Purpose: To plan, lead, direct, and monitor all production and maintenance activities to maximise the use of resources and meet established production specifications and schedules.

Reports to: Operations Manager

Location: Naas, Co Kildare

Days of work: Monday to Friday

Hours of work: Evenings (15:30 to 12 midnight)

Shift Allowance: 20%

Responsibilities:

• Direct and manage all production activities to ensure the daily and weekly production plan is delivered, production targets are achieved, and operational performance is maximised.
• Provide a high level of leadership and management to the production team to ensure that operational issues are identified and managed so that they do not impact on performance.
• Actively manage to promote a culture of staff engagement focusing on teamwork, problem solving, transparency and reporting.
• Construct production work rosters in an effective manner to ensure the efficient and timely delivery of the weekly production plan in full.
• Review the weekly production plan and identify any potential risks or production constraints that may impact on the plan. Provide feedback to the planning department and/or where necessary, implement contingency plans to proactively negate any risks identified.
• Monitor productivity rates against agreed set targets. Initiate root cause analyses where target thresholds have not been achieved and present findings outlining cause and steps/actions to be taken.
• Oversee recruitment and make provision for the training and development of production personnel.
• Identify, train, and develop strong leaders into key roles to provide for a robust team structure.
• Ensure there is adequate cross-training and labour cover for key positions to account for any planned or unplanned staff absences due to holidays or other unforeseen circumstances such as sickness, injury, or other types of absences.
• Ensure all disciplinary incidents and staff absences are dealt with in a professional and timely manner and in accordance with company HR policies.
• Effectively communicate with all team members on a regular basis and provide opportunities for feedback. This is achieved through one-to-one sessions with key staff in addition to daily and weekly structured meetings.
• Conduct employee Performance Appraisals and establish training and development plans.
• Maintain and apply detailed standard operating procedures (SOP's) and schedules for all production activity to meet the requirements of relevant customer food safety standards.
• Provide key performance indicator data as required and comply with all internal and external audit requirements including representation of the production function during key customer audits and visits.

Health & Safety: Our company prioritises the health and safety of our employees and takes all necessary measures to prevent accidents and injuries.

Qualifications/ Skills/ Experience:

• A competent professional with proven experience of managing and leading a team within a manufacturing environment, ideally food manufacturing.
• 3 years people management experience.
• A strong ability to engage and motivate staff.
• Competent in Microsoft Office.
• Experience using manufacturing software beneficial.
• Strong problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience of working within a compliance-driven environment to BRC level or equivalent regulating bodies.
• Proven experience of driving improvements in site standards.
• Experience of managing external third-party service providers.
• Experience of conducting training on both a 1:1 basis and in small groups.
• Strong spoken and written English skills.
• Planning and organising of staff, time and work schedules.
• Ability to communicate across a wide range of interested parties including direct reports, external suppliers, other factory departments.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Committed to working in a manner that meets the demands of the factory's operation. This will at times require a flexible approach to start and finish times and may include occasional weekend working.

Benefits: Our company offers a competitive salary and benefits package including shift allowance and opportunities for career advancement.

Leinster Appointments is committed to providing a professional service where all CVs are kept confidential and will not be submitted to any third parties without candidate's knowledge or consent.